"The outdoor entertaining trend has been gaining momentum over the past several years, and this year has seen a further desire to bring the indoors out," says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs at NALP. "In particular, the warmer fall months will lend themselves to increased attention on outdoor spaces, as homeowners look to extend the summer outdoor entertaining season and adapt their landscapes for enjoyment throughout the year."

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Technologically-Advanced Fire Features

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Modern fire features are a top homeowner request for the NALP all year-round, but particularly in the fall.

"In keeping with the home automation trend sweeping the nation, today's fire features offer advanced technological capabilities, with the ability to be programmed to turn on or off at particular times or to be controlled from the indoors or with a smartphone," a NALP representative said in a statement.

A Modern Take on Classic Fall Plants

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Fall garden favorites generally include chrysanthemums, boxwood and maples in the rich hues of the season. This year, a slightly more contemporary approach is on the rise.

"Several classic plantings are now engineered to be more hardy and longer-lasting," the NALP representative said. "This season, expect to see the classics married with modern-day style, with plants arranged in contemporary groupings, and landscape designs reflecting clean lines and simple sophistication."

Landscape Lighting

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"Proper landscape lighting is especially important during the shorter fall and winter days, ensuring outdoor play areas are well-lit and walkways are easily accessible through the evening and nighttime hours," they said.

Whether that means casual fairy lights or an intricate LED lighting system, the trend is both a safety must-have and a warm outdoor addition.

Low-Maintenance, Natural-Looking Materials

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Homeowners love natural materials for their outdoor spaces like wood and stone, but they definitely don't love the maintenance that comes with them. Instead, they're opting for alternatives with faux finishes that will last during the colder months.

"Porcelain tiles are quickly becoming a material of choice, as they are less susceptible to degrading from harsh weather conditions," the NALP representative said.

Interiorscapes

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"During the fall and winter months, 'interiorscapes', or indoor landscapes, will become more prevalent as homeowners seek to bring the outdoors in," they said.

Not just limited to houseplants, owners are experimenting with more elaborate flora design like green walls, tropical container gardens, and interior courtyards.

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